Air-conditioning control information display method and air-conditioning controller

ABSTRACT

A method of displaying air-conditioning management information including selecting an extracting position corresponding to a specific room for a layout image of a floor having a plurality of rooms, displaying a partial image extracted from the layout image of the floor having the plurality of rooms such that the partial image shows the specific room at the extracting position together with operating-state data on at least one air conditioner assigned to the specific room, and shifting the extracting position in units of rooms. Correspondingly, an air-conditioning management apparatus includes an image storage device in which a layout image of the floor having a plurality of rooms is stored, an image display extracting device which selects an extracting position and extracts from the layout image a partial image based on the extracting position and corresponding to a specific room, an image display device which displays the partial image together with operating-state data on at least one of the air conditioners assigned to each room, and an extracting-position shifting device which shifts in units of rooms the extracting position of the partial image to be extracted from the layout image.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of displaying air-conditioningmanagement information for displaying information on management of aplurality of air conditioners, and an air-conditioning managementapparatus for managing a plurality of air conditioners on a centralizedbasis.

BACKGROUND ART

As a conventional example of a general management apparatus, onedisclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 523/1979 (Methodof Controlling Display of Monitoring Apparatus) is known. Hereafter, adescription will be given of this conventional example.

As shown in FIG. 20, the conventional management apparatus is anapparatus in which a partial image 101 is extracted from an overallimage 100 showing the state of a process in an electric power system,and this partial image 101 is displayed on a CRT. This conventionalmanagement apparatus is provided with a track ball, and as an operatormanipulates the track ball, the screen displayed on the CRT can bescrolled, as shown in FIG. 21.

With such a conventional management apparatus, it is necessary torepeatedly execute the scrolling operation a number of times until thetargeted partial image 101 is displayed by scrolling the screendisplayed on the CRT, so that the operational efficiency has been poorand presented a problem. In addition, it is difficult for the operatorto judge whether the partial image 101 being displayed on the CRT isdisplaying an end of the overall image 100 or is displaying the centerof the overall image 100, so that the ease of use has been poor andconstituted a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of displayingair-conditioning management information and an air-conditioningmanagement apparatus which are capable of overcoming the above-describedproblems, make it possible to scroll the screen to a targeted partialimage with a fewer number of operations, and excel in the operationalefficiency. Another object of the present invention is to provide amethod of displaying air-conditioning management information and anair-conditioning management apparatus which are readily capable ofjudging which position of the overall image the partial image beingdisplayed on the CRT is displaying, and which are capable of preventinga malfunction and excel in reliability.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A method of displaying air-conditioning management information inaccordance with the present invention is characterized by comprising thesteps of: displaying an image in which a partial image is extracted froma layout image of a floor having a plurality of rooms, and the partialimage with operating-state data on an air conditioner added thereto isdisplayed on a display; and shifting an extracting position in which aposition of the partial image to be extracted from the layout image isshifted in units of rooms.

In the addition, an air-conditioning management apparatus in accordancewith the present invention for managing a plurality of air conditionerson a centralized basis by displaying on a display data on operatingstates of the air conditioners disposed in each room on a floor ischaracterized by comprising: image storage means in which a layout imageof the floor is stored; image display means for extracting a partialimage from the layout image stored in the image storage means, and fordisplaying on the display the partial image with the operating-statedata added thereto; and extracting-position shifting means for shiftingin units of rooms a position of the partial image to be extracted fromthe layout image.

Here, the air-conditioning management apparatus preferably furthercomprises: partition-line-data storage means in which partition-linedata for partitioning the floor into the rooms is stored, wherein theextracting-position shifting means shifts in units of rooms the positionof the partial image to be extracted from the layout image on the basisof the partition-line data read from the partition-line-data storagemeans.

In addition, the partial image is preferably an image including theentire desired room and portions of rooms adjacent to that room.

Further, the air-conditioning management apparatus preferably furthercomprises: shift switches each adapted to specify a shifting directionat a time when the position of the partial image to be extracted isshifted by the extracting-position shifting means, wherein the shiftswitches nullifies inputs with respect to unshiftable directions.

Still further, the shift switches are preferably arrow buttons forvarious directions displayed on a touch panel, and only the arrowbuttons in shiftable directions are displayed.

Furthermore, preferably, the layout images concerning a plurality offloors are stored in the image storage means, and the image displaymeans displays on the display the partial image concerning the floordesignated among the floors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an air-conditioning managementapparatus in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a layout image;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the air-conditioningmanagement apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a partial image in which an icon hasbeen synthesized by an image display means;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating three kinds of icons prepared incorrespondence with operating states;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the partial image in which an icon hasbeen synthesized by the image display means;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a partial imagelarger than each block of the layout image is displayed on a display;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example in which a partialimage larger than each block of the layout image is displayed on thedisplay;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating still another example in which apartial image larger than each block of the layout image is displayed onthe display;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of hardware ofthe air-conditioning management apparatus in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an air-conditioning managementapparatus in accordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of theair-conditioning management apparatus in accordance with the secondembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an air-conditioning managementapparatus in accordance with a third embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of shift switches displayedon the display;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of shift switchesdisplayed on the display;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an air-conditioning managementapparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between each floor ofa building and the layout image;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the layoutimage and the partial image;

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the layoutimage and the partial image;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an overall image concerning the stateof a process in an electric power system used in a conventionalmanagement apparatus; and

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a partial image which is displayed ona CRT by the conventional management apparatus.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, a description will be givenof the embodiments of the present invention.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an air-conditioning managementapparatus 1 in accordance with a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1,the air-conditioning management apparatus 1 is provided with an imagestorage means 3 in which a floor layout image 2 and a pointer A foraccessing this layout image 2 are stored; a display 6 for displaying animage including operating-state data 5; and an image display means 8 forextracting a partial image 7 from the layout image 2 stored in the imagestorage means 3 and for displaying on the display 6 the partial image 7with the operating-state data 5 added thereto.

The air-conditioning management apparatus 1 is further provided with aninput means 9 for accepting an input of shift information for scrollingthe display screen of the display 6 and an input of control informationfor controlling air conditioners 4; a extracting-position shifting means10 for shifting the position of the partial image 7 to be extracted fromthe layout image 2 in units of rooms on the basis of the shiftinformation accepted by the input means 9; and air-conditioning controlmeans 11 for controlling the air conditioners 4 on the basis of thecontrol information accepted by the input means 9.

As shown in FIG. 2, the layout image 2 is rectangular graphic data 640dots wide by 480 dots high, and has addresses 0 D 639 in the directionof the horizontal axis and addresses 0 D 479 in the direction of thevertical axis. The layout image 2 is provided with one partition line 12extending in the horizontal direction and two partition lines 13 and 14extending in the vertical direction. The six blocks divided by thesepartition lines 12 to 14 respectively correspond to the rooms within thefloor. The sizes of the blocks may be changed in conformity with thesizes of the respective rooms, or the blocks may be set to the same sizeas in this example. Further, names of rooms, such as conference rooms 1to 3, reception room, executive suite, and president's office arewritten in upper portions of the blocks.

Next, referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, a description will begiven of the operation of the air-conditioning management apparatus 1.The air-conditioning management apparatus 1 is an apparatus for managingthe plurality of air conditioners 4 disposed in the respective rooms onthe floor on a centralized basis, and is capable of displaying theoperating states of these air conditioners 4 on the display 6. First, aninitial value address (0, 0) is set for the pointer A for accessing thelayout image 2 (Step 100).

Next, a plurality of pieces of operating-state data 5 sent from therespective air conditioners 4 are imparted to the image display means 8(Step 101). Further, the partial image 7, which is a partial image ofthe layout image 2, is extracted from the image storage means 3 and isimparted to the image display means 8 (Step 102). Here, an area which isformed by 0th to 213th dots in the direction of the horizontal axis and0th to 240th dots in the direction of the vertical axis by using theaddress (0, 0) shown by the pointer A as a starting point is extractedas the partial image 7. This partial image 7 corresponds to a one-blockportion obtained by dividing the layout image 2 by the partition lines12 to 14, and the size of this partial image 7 is equal to the displaysize of the display 6. For this reason, an image of a one-room portionis displayed on the display 6.

Through the processing in Steps 101 and 102, the operating-state data 5and the partial image 7 are inputted to the image display means 8, asshown in FIG. 4. The image display means 8 checks the operating-statedata 5 of the air conditioner 4 in the conference room 1 correspondingto the partial image 7, and writes an icon corresponding to thisoperating state in a lower portion of the partial image 7 (Step 103).The operating-state data 5 is data which represents the operating statesof the air conditioners 4 by numerals, wherein “0” denotes that the airconditioner is being stopped, “1” denotes that the air conditioner isoperating, and “2” denotes that the air conditioner is out of order.

As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of kinds of icons are prepared accordingto these operating states, and an icon which corresponds to theoperating-state data 5 is selected. It should be noted that the datawritten in the lower portion of the partial image 7 may not be an icon,and may be character data such as “AIR CONDITIONER IS BEING OPERATED,”“AIR CONDITIONER IS BEING STOPPED,” “AIR CONDITIONER IS OUT OF ORDER.”

Subsequently, the partial image 7 where the icon is written is displayedon the display 6 (Step 104), so that the operator is capable ofascertaining the operating state of the air conditioner 4 installed inthe conference room 1. Namely, from the display on the display 6 shownin FIG. 4, the operator is able to understand that the air conditioner 4in the conference room 1 is being stopped.

Then, if the operator who viewed the display on the display 6 inputtedthe control information for starting the air conditioner 4 to the inputmeans 9, this control information is imparted to the air-conditioningcontrol means 11. This control information is transmitted to the airconditioner 4, which in turn starts operation on the basis of thecontrol information. In addition, the operator is also able to inputcontrol information for changing the set temperature for the airconditioner 4. This control information is also transmitted to the airconditioner 4 via the air-conditioning control means 11, and the settemperature for the air conditioner 4 is changed on the basis of thecontrol information (Step 105).

Next, if the operator inputted shift information to the input means 9 toallow the operating state of the air conditioner 4 in another room to bedisplayed on the display 6, this shift information is imparted to theextracting-position shifting means 10. In the extracting-positionshifting means 10, the pointer A of the image storage means 3 is updatedon the basis of this shift information (Step 106). Namely, theextracting-position shifting means 10 accesses the layout image 2 storedin the image storage means 3, and scans the layout image 2 from thepresent position of the pointer in the scrolling direction. Then, theposition of the partition line detected by this scanning becomes a newposition of the pointer.

Specifically, in a case where the shift information is an instructionfor scrolling the image in the rightward direction, the layout image 2shown in FIG. 2 is scanned in the rightward direction from the positionof the address (0, 0), and the partition line 13 is detected at the213th dot. As a result, the new address of the pointer A becomes (213,0). Subsequently, the processing returns to Step 101 to impart theoperating-state data 5 to the image display means 8. As described above,since the air conditioner 4 in the conference room 1 has already beenstarted, in the operating-state data 5 shown in FIG. 6, the operatingstate of the conference room 1 has been changed to “1.”

Next, the processing in Step 102 is executed to extract the partialimage 7 from the image storage means 3, and this partial image 7 isimparted to the image display means 8. Since the address of the pointerA here is (213, 0), an area which is formed by 213th to 426th dots inthe direction of the horizontal axis and 0th to 240th dots in thedirection of the vertical axis is extracted as the partial image 7.Then, the processing in Steps 103 and 104 is executed to write the iconin the partial image 7 and display the same on the display 6. From thisdisplay, the operator is able to understand that the air conditioner 4installed in the conference room 2 is being presently operated.Subsequently, as the operator inputs control information or shiftinformation, the processing in Steps 105 and 106 is executed to effectthe control of the air conditioner 4 and the like.

As the position of the partial image 7 to be extracted is shifted inunits of rooms as described above, the display screen can be scrolled toan adjacent room by a single operation irrespective of the size of theroom. Thus, since the display screen can be scrolled simply to thepartial image 7 of the targeted air conditioner 4 with a small number ofoperations, the operating state of the air conditioner 4 in each roomcan be ascertained speedily without exception. In addition, by using thedisplay 6 having a small display screen, it is possible to reduce theproduct cost.

It should be noted that the processing in Steps 101 to 104 correspondsto the step of displaying an image in which the partial image 7 with theoperating-state data 5 added thereto is displayed on the display 6. Inaddition, the processing in Step 106 corresponds to the step of shiftingan extracting position in which the position of the partial image 7 tobe extracted is shifted in units of rooms.

Next, a description will be given of an example in which an imageincluding the entire desired room and portions of rooms adjacent to thatroom is displayed on the display 6. In this example, a display 15 of adisplay size larger than the display size of the display 6 is used, andthe other arrangements are identical to those of the apparatus shown inFIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 7, an image centering on the conference room 1is displayed on the display 15 in the initial state. This display imageis an image consisting of the entire conference room 1 as well asportions of the conference room 2 and the reception room. Thus, sincepotions of the conference room 2 and the reception room are alsodisplayed on the display 15, the operator who viewed this display isable to understand that the display screen can be scrolled rightward anddownward.

If the shift information for scrolling rightward is inputted to theinput means 9 by the operator, the position of the partial image 7 to beextracted from the layout image 2 is shifted rightward by a one-roomportion, and an image centering on the conference room 2 is displayed onthe display 15, as shown in FIG. 8. This display image is an image whichconsists of the entire conference room 2 as well as portions of theconference rooms 1 and 3 and the executive suite. Thus, since theportions of the conference rooms 1 and 3 and the executive suite arealso displayed on the display 15, the operator who viewed this displayis able to understand that the display of the display 15 can be scrolledrightward, leftward, and downward.

Further, in a case where shift information for scrolling downward isinputted to the input means 9 by the operator, the position of thepartial image 7 to be extracted from the layout image 2 is shifteddownward by a one-room portion, and an image centering on the executivesuite is displayed on the display 15, as shown in FIG. 9. This displayimage is an image which consists of the entire executive suite as wellas portions of the conference 2, the reception room, and the president'soffice. Thus, since the portions of the conference 2, the receptionroom, and the president's office are also displayed on the display 15,the operator who viewed this display is able to understand that thedisplay on the display 15 can be scrolled rightward, leftward, andupward.

By using the display 15 of a display size larger than the size of eachblock of the layout image 2 as described above, the operator is able toascertain at a single glance the directions in which the display on thedisplay 15 can be scrolled.

Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the hardwareof the air-conditioning management apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 10, theair-conditioning management apparatus 1 is comprised of a main board 23on which a CPU 20 and ROMs 21 and 22 are disposed; an input/output port24 for accepting the operating-state data on the air conditioners 4; aliquid-crystal display 25 for displaying the operating-state data andthe like; and a touch panel 26 which is attached to the liquid-crystaldisplay 25 in a superposed manner.

Here, the ROM 21 corresponds to the image storage means 3, and variousdata including the layout image 2 is stored therein. Meanwhile,processing programs for the image display means 8, the air-conditioningcontrol means 11, and the extracting-position shifting means 10 arestored in the ROM 22. These processing programs are executed undercontrol by the CPU 20. Further, the liquid-crystal display 25corresponds to the display 6, and the touch panel 26 to the input means9.

The liquid-crystal display 25 is provided with an area 25 a fordisplaying the partial image 7; an area 25 b for displaying shiftswitches for allowing the operator to input the shift information; anarea 25 c for displaying the temperature of each room; and an area 25 dfor displaying control switches for inputting the control informationfor controlling the respective air conditioners 4. Four arrow buttonscorresponding to the respective directions are used as the shiftswitches. In addition, as the control switches, an UP/DOWN button forchanging the set temperatures of the air conditioners 4 and an ON/OFFbutton for the on/off control of the air conditioners 4 are used.

In addition, as the operator depresses such as the arrow buttondisplayed in the area 25 b or the UP/DOWN button displayed in the area25 d, the shift information or control information is inputted throughthe touch panel 26. Such information is imparted to the CPU 20, and theprocessing in the above-described Steps 101 to 106 is executed.

It should be noted that various other switches, including a joystick, apushbutton switch, and a trackball, may be used instead of the touchpanel 26. In addition, the shifting direction may be changedsequentially by pressing a single pushbutton switch a plurality oftimes.

Second Embodiment

Next, a description will be given of an air-conditioning managementapparatus in accordance with a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a blockdiagram illustrating an air-conditioning management apparatus 30 inaccordance with the second embodiment. This second embodiment differsfrom the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only in that apartition-line-data storage means 31 is provided. The other arrangementsare identical or equivalent to those of the first embodiment. It shouldbe noted that those constituent portions that are identical orequivalent to those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the samereference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 11, the air-conditioning management apparatus 30 isprovided with the partition-line-data storage means 31 in which aplurality of pieces of partition-line data 32 for partitioning the floorinto rooms are stored. The partition-line data is segment data forpartitioning the layout image 2 into a plurality of blocks, and isstored as coordinate data on the layout image 2. For example,partition-line data 32 a on the partition line 12 shown in FIG. 2 is(0-639, 240), and partition-line data 32 b on the partition line 13shown in FIG. 2 is (213, 0-479). Further, partition-line data 32 c onthe partition line 14 is (426, 0-479).

Next, the operation of the air-conditioning management apparatus 30 willbe described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12. First, aninitial value address (0, 0) is set for the pointer A for accessing theimage storage means (Step 110). Then, the plurality of pieces ofoperating-state data 5 sent from the respective air conditioners 4 areimparted to the image display means 8 (Step 111). Further, the partialimage 7, which is a partial image of the layout image 2, is extractedfrom the image storage means 3 and is imparted to the image displaymeans 8 (Step 112).

As a result, the operating-state data 5 and the partial image 7 areinputted to the image display means 8, as shown in FIG. 4. The imagedisplay means 8 checks the operating-state data 5 of the air conditioner4 in the conference room 1 corresponding to the partial image 7, andwrites an icon corresponding to this operating state in a lower portionof the partial image 7 (Step 113). The operating-state data 5 is datawhich represents the operating states of the air conditioners 4 bynumerals, wherein “0” denotes that the air conditioner is being stopped,“1” denotes that the air conditioner is operating, and “2” denotes thatthe air conditioner is out of order. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, an iconcorresponding to the operating-state data 5 is selected from among thethree kinds prepared according to these operating states.

Subsequently, the partial image 7 where the icon is written is displayedon the display 6 (Step 114), so that the operator is capable ofascertaining the operating state of the air conditioner 4 installed inthe conference room 1. Namely, from the display on the display 6 shownin FIG. 4, the operator is able to understand that the air conditioner 4in the conference room 1 is being stopped. Then, if the operator whoviewed the display on the display 6 inputted the control information forstarting the air conditioner 4 to the input means 9, this controlinformation is imparted to the air-conditioning control means 11. Thiscontrol information is transmitted to the air conditioner 4, which inturn starts operation on the basis of the control information. Inaddition, the operator is also able to input control information forchanging the set temperature for the air conditioner 4. This controlinformation is also transmitted to the air conditioner 4 via theair-conditioning control means 11, and the set temperature for the airconditioner 4 is changed on the basis of the control information (Step115).

Next, if the operator inputted shift information to the input means 9 toallow the operating state of the air conditioner 4 in another room to bedisplayed on the display 6, this shift information is imparted to theextracting-position shifting means 10. In the extracting-positionshifting means 10, the shifting direction is detected of the basis ofthis shift information, and the partition-line data 32 which has theshortest distance in the shifting direction with respect to the presentposition of the pointer is extracted from the partition-line-datastorage means 31 (Step 116). Then, a point of intersection between asegment extending from the present position of the pointer in theshifting direction and a partition line indicated by the partition-linedata 32 is set as a new position of the pointer (Step 117).

Specifically, in a case where the shift information is an instructionfor rightwardly scrolling the display screen of the display 6, if it isassumed that the present address of the pointer A is (0, 0) in FIG. 2,the partition-line data 32 which has the shortest distance in therightward direction with respect to the pointer A (0, 0) is selectedfrom among the three pieces of partition-line data 32 a to 32 c storedin the partition-line-data storage means 31. Then, the partition-linedata 32 b (213, 0-479) is extracted as a result of this selection.Further, a point of intersection (213, 0) between the segment 15extending from pointer A (0, 0) in the rightward direction and thepartition line 13 indicated by the partition-line data 32 b is detected,and this point of intersection is set as a new position of the pointer.As a result, the new address of the pointer A becomes (213, 0).Subsequently, the processing returns to Step 101 to impart theoperating-state data 5 to the image display means 8.

Next, the processing in Step 102 is executed to extract the partialimage 7 from the image storage means 3, and this partial image 7 isimparted to the image display means 8. Since the address of the pointerA here is (213, 0), an area which is formed by 213th to 426th dots inthe direction of the horizontal axis and 0th to 240th dots in thedirection of the vertical axis is extracted as the partial image 7.Then, the processing in Steps 103 and 104 is executed to write the iconin the partial image 7 and display the same on the display 6. From thisdisplay, the operator is able to understand that the air conditioner 4installed in the conference room 2 is being presently operated.Subsequently, as the operator inputs control information or shiftinformation, the processing in Steps 105 and 106 is executed to effectthe control of the air conditioner 4 and the like.

Since the position of the partial image 7 to be extracted is shifted inunits of rooms in the above-described manner, the display screen can bescrolled simply to the targeted partial image 7 with a small number ofoperations, and the operating state of the air conditioner 4 in eachroom can be ascertained speedily without exception. In addition, sincethe new address of the pointer A is extracted on the basis of thepartition-line data 32 provided separately from the layout image 2, theprocessing speed for updating the address improves.

It should be noted that the processing in Steps 111 to 114 correspondsto the step of displaying an image in which the partial image 7 with theoperating-state data 5 added thereto is displayed on the display 6. Inaddition, the processing in Steps 116 and 117 correspond to the step ofshifting an extracting position in which the partial image 7 is shiftedin units of rooms.

Further, it is possible to use the display 15 having a larger displaysize instead of the display 6. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9,an image including the desired entire room and portions of roomsadjacent to that room is displayed on the display 15, and it is possibleto easily ascertain the directions in which the screen can be scrolled.

Third Embodiment

Next, a description will be given of an air-conditioning managementapparatus in accordance with a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a blockdiagram illustrating an air-conditioning management apparatus 40 inaccordance with the third embodiment. This third embodiment differs fromthe first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only in that a shifting-directioncalculating means 41 is provided. The other arrangements are identicalor equivalent to those of the first embodiment. It should be noted thatthose constituent portions that are identical or equivalent to those ofthe first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, anda description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 13, the air-conditioning management apparatus 40 isprovided with the shifting-direction calculating means 41 forcalculating the directions in which the position of the partial image 7to be extracted from the layout image 2 can be shifted, by inputting theaddress of the pointer A stored in the image storage means 3. The resultof calculation by the shifting-direction calculating means 41 isimparted to the input means 9, and control is provided in such a manneras to nullify inputs of shift information on shifting in directions inwhich the extracting position cannot be shifted by the input means 9.Meanwhile, in a case where directions in which the extracting positioncan be shifted are displayed on the display 6 by means of such asarrows, the result of calculation by the shifting-direction calculatingmeans 41 is imparted to the display 6 as well, and the details ofdisplay on the display 6 are changed.

For example, in a case where the liquid-crystal display 25 is used asthe display 6 and the touch panel 26 as the input means 9 as shown inFIG. 14, some of the four arrow buttons (shift switches) are displayedin the area 25 b of the liquid-crystal display 25. Here, in a case wherethe partial image 7 displayed in the area 25 a of the liquid-crystaldisplay 25 is an image of the conference room 1 located at the upperleft end of the layout image 2, the address (0, 0) is set for thepointer A.

The shifting-direction calculating means 41 calculates the addresses ofapices of the partial image 7 on the basis of this address of thepointer A, and obtains (0, 0), (213, 0), (0, 240), and (213, 240).Further, the layout image 2 has an area of 640 bits in the horizontaldirection and 480 bits in the vertical direction, and the partial image7 is capable of moving in the range of (0, 0) to (639, 479).

Because the apex (0, 0) of the partial image 7 is at the upper left endof the layout image 2, the shifting-direction calculating means 41judges that the position of the partial image 7 to be extracted from thelayout image 2 cannot be shifted leftward and upward. Further, becausethe apex (213, 240) of the partial image 7 is in a central portion ofthe layout image 2, the shifting-direction calculating means 41 judgesthat the position of the partial image 7 to be extracted from the layoutimage 2 can be shifted rightward and downward.

The shifting-direction calculating means 41 imparts the shiftabledirections thus obtained to the liquid-crystal display 25 and the touchpanel 26, and deletes the display of the rightward and upward arrowbuttons in the area 25 b of the liquid-crystal display 25. In addition,the shifting-direction calculating means 41 nullifies the input at thepositions of the rightward and upward arrow buttons on the touch panel26.

Next, in a case where the shift information for scrolling rightward isinputted by the operator, the partial image 7 whose position is shiftedrightward by a one-room portion is extracted from the layout image 2,and is displayed in the area 25 a of the liquid-crystal display 25, asshown in FIG. 15. It is assumed that (213, 0) is set for the pointer Aat that time. This address of the pointer A is imparted to theshifting-direction calculating means 41, which effects theabove-described comparison and calculation of the addresses to calculateshiftable directions.

Namely, the shifting-direction calculating means 41 calculates theaddresses of apices of the partial image 7 on the basis of the addressof the pointer A, and obtains (213, 0), (426, 0), (213, 240), and (426,240). Because the apices (213, 0) and (426, 0) of the partial image 7are at the upper end of the layout image 2, the shifting-directioncalculating means 41 judges that the position of the partial image 7 tobe extracted from the layout image 2 cannot be shifted upward. Further,because the apices (213, 240) and (426, 240) of the partial image 7 arein a central portion of the layout image 2, the shifting-directioncalculating means 41 judges that the position of the partial image 7 tobe extracted from the layout image 2 can be shifted rightward, leftward,and downward.

The shifting-direction calculating means 41 imparts the shiftabledirections thus obtained to the liquid-crystal display 25 and the touchpanel 26, and deletes the display of the upward arrow button in the area25 b of the liquid-crystal display 25. In addition, theshifting-direction calculating means 41 nullifies the input at theposition of the upward arrow button on the touch panel 26.

Since the display of arrow buttons in the directions in which theposition of the partial image 7 to be extracted from the layout image 2cannot be shifted is deleted in the above-described manner, the operatoris able to visually judge the shiftable directions, with the result thatit is possible to obtain a highly reliable air-conditioning managementapparatus in which erroneous operations are difficult to occur.

It should be noted that, in a case where pushbutton switches or the likeare used instead of the touch panel 26, images indicating shiftabledirections may be displayed on the display of the liquid-crystal display25 or the like. For instance, arrow-shaped marks such as those describedabove may be used, and a framing line (in particular, a color display insuch as red or green is effective) may be displayed at an edge portionon the shiftable side on the display.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a description will be given of an air-conditioning managementapparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a blockdiagram illustrating an air-conditioning management apparatus 50 inaccordance with the fourth embodiment. This fourth embodiment differsfrom the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only in that layout images 2of a plurality of floors are stored in the image storage means 3, inthat an initial-position registering means 51 and an initial-positionstorage means 52 are provided, and in that the input of selection of afloor is accepted by the input means 9.

Thus, since layout images 2 of a plurality of floors are stored in theimage storage means 3, the air conditioners 4 installed on therespective floors as in a building can be managed by a singleair-conditioning management apparatus 50 on a centralized basis. Inaddition, since the input of selection of a floor is accepted by theinput means 9, it is possible to display the layout image 2 of a desiredfloor on the display 6.

It should be noted that since the arrangements other those describedabove are identical or equivalent to those of the first embodiment,those constituent portions that are identical or equivalent to those ofthe first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, anda description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 16, the air-conditioning management apparatus 50 isprovided with the initial-position registering means 51 for registeringan initial position at a time when the partial image 7 is extracted fromthe layout image 2, as well as the initial-position storage means 52 forstoring for each floor the address of the initial position registered bythe initial-position registering means 51. Data on the initial positionwhich can be registered in the initial-position registering means 51includes, for instance, “north, northeast, northwest, east, west,center, southeast, southwest, south, and previous display position. Theinitial-position registering means 51 is provided with an input portion(e.g., pushbutton switches) for entering these items of data. Inaddition, in the initial-position storage means 52, an address data area52 a for storing the address of the initial position as well as aprevious-position flag 52 b indicating the registration of the “previousdisplay position” are provided for each floor.

If the data on the initial position is inputted by the operator, theinitial-position registering means 51 converts the inputted data intoaddress data, and this address data is stored in the address data area52 a of the initial-position storage means 52. The address data is theaddress data on the layout image 2. For example, “north” is converted tothe address (213, 0); “northeast” to the address (426, 0); “northeast”to the address (0, 0); and “south” to the address (213, 240). Theaddress data thus converted is stored in the address data area 52 a ofthe initial-position storage means 52.

In addition, if the “previous display position” is inputted by theoperator, the initial-position registering means 51 sets theprevious-position flag 52 b of the initial-position storage means 52.While the previous-position flag 52 b is on, the address data inputtedfrom the extracting-position shifting means 10 is accepted, and theaddress data area 52 a of the initial-position storage means 52 isupdated by this address data. As a result, the address of the previousdisplay position is always stored in the address data area 52 a of theinitial-position storage means 52.

As shown in FIG. 17, in a case where, for example, a building with tenstories above and two under the ground is managed by theair-conditioning management apparatus 50, twelve layout images 2 arestored in the image storage means 3. Then, the selection of the layoutimage 2 displayed on the display 6 is effected by designating the numberof the floor by the input means 9. When the desired layout image 2 isselected by this designation, the address data corresponding to thelayout image 2 is read from the address data area 52 a of theinitial-position storage means 52, and this address data is set for thepointer A of the image storage means 3.

Next, the image storage means 3 is accessed, and the partial image 7 forwhich the pointer A is set as the starting point is extracted from thedesired layout image 2. Here, if the address of the position of the roomwhere the air conditioner 4 having a high frequency of operation isinstalled is registered in advance in the initial-position storage means52 as the initial position, when the layout image 2 is changed over, thepartial image 7 centering on the room where the air conditioner 4 isinstalled can be displayed on the display 6. In addition, if theprevious-position flag 52 b of the initial-position storage means 52 isset in advance, when the layout image 2 is changed over, the partialimage 7 which was displayed previously can be displayed on the display6.

Specifically, if the layout image 2 of the first basement is selected,the address (0, 0) is read from the address data area 52 a, and thisaddress is set for the pointer A of the image storage means 3. Then, ina case where “northwest” has been inputted with respect to the layoutimage 2 of the second basement, the address (426, 240) has been storedin the address data area 52 a corresponding to this layout image 2. As aresult, as shown in FIG. 18, the partial image 7 of an “office 1” havingthe address (0, 0) as the starting point is extracted from the layoutimage 2 of the first basement.

Next, if the layout image 2 of the second basement is selected, theaddress (426, 240) is read from the address data area 52 a, and thisaddress is set for the pointer A of the image storage means 3. As aresult, the partial image 7 of the “president's office” having theaddress (426, 240) as the starting point is extracted from the layoutimage 2 of the second basement, as shown in FIG. 19.

As described above, when the layout image 2 is changed over, the partialimage 7 which is first displayed on the display 6 can be registered inaccordance with the intention of the operator, so that the partial image7 of the room where the air conditioner 4 having a high frequency ofoperation is installed can be displayed first on the display 6.Consequently, the operational efficiency of the apparatus improves, andthe plurality of air conditioners 4 can be operated in a short time.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to theabove-described embodiments, and may be modified as described belowwithin a range that does not deviate from the gist of the presentinvention.

(1) Although, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, thepartial image 7 in which the address of the pointer A is set at theupper left end is extracted from the layout image 2, the address of thepointer A may be set at another position such as the upper right end orthe lower left end without being confined to the upper left end, so asto extract the partial image 7 from the layout image 2.

(2) Although, in the above-described first to third embodiments, (0, 0)is set as the initial value of the pointer A, an initial value stored inthe initial-position storage means 52 may be set for the pointer A as inthe fourth embodiment.

(3) Although, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, thelayout image 2 which is 640 dots wide by 480 dots high is partitionedinto six blocks to correspond to the respective rooms, it is possible touse the layout image 2 of a size other than the same, and the number ofpartitions is not limited to six and may be other than six.

(4) By combining the above-described second and third embodiments, boththe partition-line-data storage means 31 and the shifting-directioncalculating means 41 may be provided. In addition, by combining theabove-described second and fourth embodiments, the partition-line-datastorage means 31, the initial-position registering means 51, and theinitial-position storage means 52 may be provided.

Further, by combining the above-described third and fourth embodiments,the shifting-direction calculating means 41, the initial-positionregistering means 51, and the initial-position storage means 52 may beprovided. Furthermore, by combining the above-described second to fourthembodiments, the data storage means 31, the shifting-directioncalculating means 41, the initial-position registering means 51, and theinitial-position storage means 52 may be provided.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the method of displaying air-conditioning managementinformation and the air-conditioning management apparatus in accordancewith the present invention make it possible to display with a fewernumber of operations the operating states of air conditioners disposedrespectively in a plurality of rooms. Accordingly, the method ofdisplaying air-conditioning management information and theair-conditioning management apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention are suitable for collectively managing a multiplicity of airconditioners.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of displaying air-conditioningmanagement information, comprising the steps of: selecting an extractingposition corresponding to a specific room for a layout image of a floorhaving a plurality of rooms; displaying a partial image extracted fromthe layout image of the floor having the plurality of rooms, saidpartial image showing the specific room at the extracting positiontogether with operating-state data on at least one air conditionerassigned to the specific room; and shifting the extracting position inunits of rooms.
 2. An air-conditioning management apparatus for managinga plurality of air conditioners on a centralized basis by displaying ona display data on operating states of air conditioners assigned to eachroom on a floor, comprising: an image storage device in which a layoutimage of the floor having a plurality of rooms is stored; an imagedisplay extracting device configured to select an extracting positionand extract from the layout image a partial image based on theextracting position and corresponding to a specific room; an imagedisplay device configured to display on said display the partial imageat the extracting position together with operating-state data on atleast one of said air conditioners assigned to each room; and anextracting-position shifting device configured to shift in units ofrooms the extracting position of the partial image to be extracted fromthe layout image.
 3. An air-conditioning management apparatus accordingto claim 2, further comprising: a partition-line-data storage device inwhich partition-line data configured to partition the floor into roomsis stored, wherein said extracting-position shifting device shifts inunits of rooms the position of the partial image to be extracted fromthe layout image on the basis of the partition-line data read from saidpartition-line-data storage device.
 4. An air-conditioning managementapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the partial image comprises animage including an entire desired room and portions of rooms adjacent tothe desired room.
 5. An air-conditioning management apparatus accordingto claim 2, further comprising: shift switches each adapted to specify ashifting direction at a time when the position of the partial image tobe extracted is shifted by said extracting-position shifting device,wherein said shift switches nullifies inputs with respect to unshiftabledirections.
 6. An air-conditioning management apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein said shift switches comprise arrow buttons for variousdirections displayed on a touch panel, and only the arrow buttons inshiftable directions are displayed.
 7. An air-conditioning managementapparatus according to claim 2, wherein layout images concerning aplurality of floors are stored in said image storage device, and saidimage display device displays on said display the partial imageconcerning a floor designated among the plurality of floors.